Daniel J SaitFollowing a decent reception for its MA252 hybrid integrated amp, McIntosh announces the MA352 Amplifier.
The product follows the same hybrid design approach that looks to combine the finest of vacuum tube and solid-state audio design principles. This maker’s products are always eye-catching and this no different as the amp enjoys the best of these two opposing audio philosophies.
An all analogue design, the MA352 has a vacuum tube preamplifier section that is powered by a pair of 12AX7A and a pair of 12AT7 vacuum tubes. Its output stage is a direct coupled solid-state amplifier that outputs 200W per channel into 8 Ohm speakers or 320W per channel into 4 Ohm speakers – double the MA252’s power output and more than enough to drive virtually any set of loudspeakers says the maker. Dual scale McIntosh blue Watt meters give an accurate readout of power output for both speaker impedances.
The MA352 has two balanced and three unbalanced inputs plus one Moving Magnet phono input with adjustable loading. It has gold-plated speaker binding posts to help prevent corrosion and ensure a quality signal is sent to the speakers. A stereo preamplifier output is available for connecting a higher-powered amplifier; it can also be used to connect one or two powered subwoofers for added low frequency performance.
The MA352 is packed with numerous McIntosh technologies including Power Guard, Sentry Monitor, McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks, High Drive headphone amplifier with Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD),
5-band analogue tone control (each band adjustable by ± 12dB), Home Theatre Pass Through, Power Control, and Data Ports.
The unit sits on a stainless-steel chassis polished to a mirror finish; vintage McIntosh-styled die cast aluminium name badges are affixed to each side. Blue output meters, control knobs, an illuminated logo, and a black glass front panel with direct LED backlighting complete the unit. It can be paired with an assortment of CD players, turntables, tuners, media streamers and speakers to complete a home audio system.
Shipping is expected to begin to the United States in September 2019 and the rest of the world shortly thereafter. Suggested retail price (VAT, shipping and any customs duties related to current standards of individual countries are excluded) is $6,500 USD.